. The Te Deum is sung in the Church service
every day except during Advent and Lent when the _Benedicite_ is
sung instead.

Ten Commandments.--(See DECALOGUE.)

Temperance.--(See CHURCH TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.)

Ter Sanctus.--Meaning _Thrice Holy_. The Latin title of the hymn in
the Communion Office beginning "Holy, Holy, Holy." This hymn is of
the most ancient origin and forms part of all the oldest Liturgies.
In the Liturgies of St. Basil and St. Chrysostom, it is called the
"Triumphal Hymn."

Testimonials.--The general Canons of the Church prescribe that when
the Standing Committee of a Diocese recommends to the Bishop a
candidate for Holy Orders for ordination to the Diaconate or {253}
Priesthood, that it shall present to the Bishop a certificate or
testimonial to the effect that the candidate "hath lived piously,
soberly and honestly, and hath not since his admission as a
candidate for Orders, written, taught or held anything contrary to
the doctrine and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church." The
action of the Committee in recommending such person to be admitted
a candidate for Holy Orders was based on testimonials made by the
Clergy and laymen who knew the candidate personally. So, also, when
a Bishop is elected, testimonials of his election by the Convention
which elected him, and from the House of Deputies of the General
Convention, or from the Standing Committees of the various Dioceses,
of their approbation of his election and also of his fitness for the
office of a Bishop, must be presented to the House of Bishops before
order can be taken for his consecration.

Thanksgiving.--(See GENERAL THANKSGIVING, THE.)

Thanksgiving Day.--The day appointed by the Civil Authority for the
rendering of thanks to God for the blessings bestowed on this land
and nation during the year. It usually partakes of the nature of a
Harvest Home Festival, prompted no doubt by the character of the
service set forth in the Prayer-book to be used on this day,
entitled, "A Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for
the Fruits of the earth and all other Blessings of His Merciful
Providence." It is interesting to note that the first Thanksgiving
Day in America was appointed, not by the Pilgrims, as many persons
mistakenly believe, but by members of the Church of England. It was
{254} celebrated at Monhegan, off the Maine coast, near the mouth
of the Kennebec river, as far back as 1607--thirteen years prior to
the arr